Partner Assisted Scanning Training 

• Communication strategy for students with complex communication needs and complex bodies.

• A communication partner scans through words/phrases for the student by showing and/or speaking the options

• Can be done on the fly or with a low-tech communication book (e.g. PODD) 

• The student indicates their choice by using their predetermined signal for affirming “yes” and/or rejecting“no” 

The student should have an established signal in order to indicate “yes” and/or “no”.  These signals vary depending on the student’s motor, vision and hearing abilities. Some students use one signal to indicate “yes” and nothing for “no”.  Some students use two differentiated signals for “yes” and “no”. 

Examples include: Facial expressions (i.e smile), Body movement (i.e. eye blink, hand raise), Activating a single message voice output device (i.e. big mack), Specific vocalizations 

1. Present the list of choices without expectation of student response

2. Present the list of choices again with a pause between each choice to allow for student response (pause time is student dependent but start with 3-5 seconds) 

Partner looks for and responds to student response

• Eliminates time constraints for students with motor difficulties who need extra time to coordinate movements for responses. 

• Can be done anywhere 

• Offers more communicative opportunities for students with complex communication needs. 

Developing scanning skills can provide opportunities to increase vocab size and possible use of mid-high tech scanning devices.